Betting card game

ABSTRACT

A betting card game for play by a plurality of players against a dealer using at least one deck of playing cards, a payout being received by one player when the numerical value of their three cards totals 7 or 11. A first bet is placed by the player before the start of a game and a second bet is placed by the player after the player and dealer have each been dealt a set of three cards each. One of the dealer&#39;s three cards are placed face-up to be visible to all players. After placing a second bet, each player is given the option of substituting one card from their hand with a new card from the deck. The dealer is likewise given the option of substituting one card from their hand with a new card from the deck. If the numerical value of three dealer cards totals 7 or 11, the dealer keeps a payout in the amount of the first and second bets of the player. In the event the dealer cards total 7 or 11 and the player cards have an equal numerical value, then the game is a tie. Predetermined number combinations may be established so that a player wins when the sum of their cards equals the predetermined numeric combination, but only if they have paid a bonus bet before the start of the game.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/929,362 filed Jun. 25, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to card games, and is more particularly concerned with card games that involve betting.

2. Related Art

Betting card games are well known in the art. For example, games such as poker, blackjack, and kino involve placing of bets and receiving payouts of money based on the bets. However, for some of these games, such as poker, the rules are complicated, thus making the game inaccessible to new players.

Conversely, games which have very simple rules, such as blackjack and baccarat, have limited strategic possibilities, and may quickly bore players.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved betting card came having relatively simple rules but which also offers a variety of betting and payout options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a new betting card came having relatively simple rules but which also offers a variety of betting and payout options. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a betting card game for play by one or more players against a dealer using at least one deck of playing cards, a payout being received by one player when the value of the cards in a respective collection of cards held thereby is a total of seven or eleven, the game comprising the steps of: for each player, placing of a respective first bet; for each player, after the placing of the respective first bet, receiving three cards, as the respective collection therefor, two cards of the respective collection for one player who deals the cards being made visible to all players; after the dealing, placing of an optional second bet by each player to remain in the game, each player respectively forfeiting the respective first bet thereof when the player declines to place the optional second bet; for each player having placed a respective second bet, optionally discarding one card from the respective collection thereof and receiving a fourth card for the respective collection thereof; after optionally discarding and receiving the forth card, revealing of all respective collections of cards; and after the revealing of the respective collections, for each player having placed a second bet and having a total of seven or eleven in the respective collection thereof, payment of a payout based on the respective first and second bets thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified view of a game table arranged to play the betting card game of this invention, wherein a dealer is stationed opposite six player spaces;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of one player space having pre-marked locations upon which a player may play the first, second and bonus bets and place an optionally discard card, betting chips or cheques are staged for placement in the first bet (Ante) and Bonus bet locations;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the player space of FIG. 2, but illustrating an exemplary game in which a set of three dealer cards is arranged in the upper left quadrant and three player cards are arranged within the player space;

FIG. 4 is a further progression of the exemplary game of FIG. 3, wherein the player has substituted one of the three player cards for a new card;

FIG. 5 is a further progression of the exemplary game of FIG. 4, wherein the player dealer cards have been fully exposed and the player cards have been fully exposed; and

FIG. 6 is a further progression of the exemplary game of FIG. 5, wherein the dealer has substituted one of the three dealer cards for a new card, and mathematical sums of the numeric values assigned to the respective cards is calculated to reveal a tie game decision.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a simplified view of a game table arranged to play the betting card game of this invention is generally shown at 10. In this highly illustrative view, a dealer 12 is stationed opposite six player spaces 14. The table 10 is arranged as a semi-circle, although other designs can be adapted to suit the circumstances. In one expression of this game, one or more player spaces 14 may be designated as reserved seats. If a player occupies one of the reserved seats when the game begins, that player has the right to continue for five games.

An enlarged illustration of a player space 14 is shown in FIG. 2. Pre-marked locations may be imprinted upon the playing surface as playing aides. These pre-printed markings can include an ante, or first bet circle 16, a second bet diamond 18, and a bonus bet circle 20. Betting chips or cheques 22 are staged for placement in the first bet (Ante) 16, second bet 18 and bonus bet 20 locations. Of course, the geometric shapes are arbitrary, and can be changed to suit various design intents. Furthermore, a rectangular pre-printed marking 24 establishes a location for an optionally discarded card. At the start of a new game, a player is required to place a chip 22 on the first bet circle 16, and may optionally place a chip 22 of the same or different value on the bonus bet circle 20.

The present invention provides a betting card game, using at least one standard decks of cards. In other words, a standard deck of 52 playing cards arranged in the traditional manner with faces designated 2-10, J (Jack), Q (Queen), K (King), and A (Ace) is used to play this game. Jokers are removed from the deck prior to play. Each card in the deck is assigned a numeric value according to the formula: 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, 10=10, J=0, Q=0, K=0 and A=1 or 11. For example, a player having the two of clubs, the three of hearts, and the four of diamonds, would have a total of 9 in his respective collection. Suits and colors are not relevant. Aces are considered as either 1 or 11, at the discretion of the player. As stated above, 10's, Jacks, Kings, and Queens are worth 0 (zero).

The primary goal of the game, for each player including the dealer, is to have a total of 7 or 11, in terms of the total value of all the symbols on the cards, in a respective collection of cards held by the player, in which case a payout is issued to at least one player having 7 or 11 in total. As mentioned earlier, the betting card game is played with at least one deck of standard playing cards. However, preferably, six identical decks shuffled together as a whole are used. The game is preferably played by at least two players, with one player acting as a dealer and dealing the cards. However, for a computerized version of the game, the dealer could be replaced by a computer or other automated device against or with which one or more players would play.

The game is commenced by each player placing a respective first bet, or ante at or near the first bet circle 16. The first bet is preferably a fixed amount that each player must bet in order to play. However, the amount of the first bet could also be left to the discretion of the players. Further, as another option, the dealer 12 may not be required to place a first bet. After each player has made the first bet, the dealer 12 deals each other player a respective collection therefor of three cards face down, designated collectively as first, second and third player cards 26 in FIG. 3. The dealer 12 also deals himself his own respective collection of three cards, designated collectively as first, second and third dealer cards 28 in FIG. 3. Two of the dealer cards 28 are placed face down, and one dealer card 28 is laid face up. Thus, one card of the dealer's collection of dealer cards 28 is visible to all players. In the example of FIG. 3, the face-up dealer card is an Ace, having a numeric value of either one or eleven.

After the collections are dealt by the dealer 12, the players, including the dealer 12, look at the cards in their collection. Each player must then decide whether to remain in the game or not. If the player wishes to remain in the game, the player must make a second bet, which is preferably but not necessarily double the amount of the first bet. The second bet is placed as a chip 22 over the second bet diamond 18, as suggested in FIG. 3. However, the amount of the second bet may, optionally, be left at the discretion of the player. Typically, any player who does not make a second bet is eliminated from the game and their first bet is forfeited to the dealer or house. Payouts for regular game play are made from the dealer or house reserves. However, as an option, the dealer 12 may not be required to place a second bet. The first and second bets are generally placed in the possession of the dealer 12, as part of the house winnings until payouts are determined, with any remaining money not paid out to players other than the dealer 12 at the end of each game being retained by the dealer 12 from game to game and accumulating as house winnings.

After a player makes a second bet, thus remaining in the game, the player may, optionally, discard a card from his or her respective player cards 26 and be dealt a fourth card by the dealer 12. A discarded card is indicated at 32 in FIG. 4, having been replaced by a new card from the deck.

After all players remaining in the game have exercised their option to discard one card and receive a fourth card, the respective player cards 26 of each player and the dealer cards 28 of the dealer 12 are revealed. This is depicted in FIG. 5, where the sample player cards 26 of the player possesses a numerical sum of seven. The dealer cards 28 possess a numerical sum of either 8 or 18, depending upon whether the Ace is counted as one or eleven. At this stage, the dealer 12 may choose to substitute one of the dealer cards 28 for a new card from the deck. FIG. 6 illustrates this option being exercised, where the Ace card in the collection of dealer cards 28 is discarded and replaced with a new card from the deck. The new card has a face designation of K, or King, which has been assigned a numeric value of zero. Thus, the sample dealer cards 28 possess a numerical sum of seven.

To determine whether a player is entitled to a payout. The rules governing entitlement to a payout are as follows. If the dealer 12 has eleven in total and another player has seven in total, then the dealer transfers the first and second bets of the player into the house winnings. If the dealer 12 has seven in total and another player has eleven in total, the player receives a payout, preferably totaling the sum of the first bet and three times (3X) the second bet. If the dealer 12 and the player both have 7 or 11 in total, then the game is considered a tie, with the player keeping his/her respective first bet and respective second bet and the dealer 12 receiving nothing. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the game ends in a tie. If the dealer 12 and player have neither 7 nor 11 in total, than the player forfeits the first bet, which is transferred to the house or dealer 12. If the dealer 12 and another player have three 7s in their respective collection, or three 11's (i.e. three Aces), then the player receives a payout, preferably totaling the sum of the first bet and three times (3×) the second bet.

It should be noted that the payouts cited above are intended as examples only. For example, the amount by which the second bet is multiplied when a player receives a payout may be more or less than three times the second bet. Similarly, the amount of the first bet could also be multiplied. Additionally, the rules on whether the first bet is forfeit to dealer 12 as a payout may also be changed.

As a feature for the betting card game-e, players, other than the dealer 12, are invited without obligation to participate in an optional bonus scheme. To participate in the bonus scheme, each player pays, as a bonus ante bet, a fixed amount when players make the first bet. This is accomplished by placing a valued chip 22 over the bonus bet circle 20. Alternatively, and preferably, players could pay a fixed bonus ante valid for a number of games, say, for example, $5 which would be valid for five consecutive games. The bonus bet is retained and managed by the dealer 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Bonus payouts and additional bonus amounts are paid by the dealer 12 just like other player payouts described above. Players who decide to participate in the bonus scheme receive special bonus payouts in addition to any of the previously mentioned payouts according to the exemplary payouts set forth in Table 1 below.

Table 1 illustrates a plurality of predetermined numeric combinations that can be established to enhance player excitement. The first eight rows in Table 1 establish special bonus payouts when the numeric values of the player cards 26 equals seven or eleven in the prescribed combinations. These predetermined numeric combinations are examples of several possible three-card combinations of seven and eleven that may be designated by the house as eligible for bonus payouts provided the player placed a bonus bet before start of play. When the player achieves one of these prescribed combinations, the player will receive the normal winning payout described above, plus the stated Bonus Payout (center column) and the Additional Bonus Amount (far right column). These predetermined numeric combinations are not relevant to dealer win scenarios.

Furthermore, if the player placed a bonus bet before start of play, when the sum of the player cards 26 and the sum of the dealer cards 28 is neither seven nor eleven, but the numeric values of the player cards 26 equals at least one of the predetermined numeric combinations set forth in the last nine rows in Table 1, the player is permitted to keep their first and second bets, and is awarded additional compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the second bet as shown in Table 1. Thus, the scenario described above wherein the player forfeits the first bet if neither the dealer 12 nor player have 7 or 11, is preempted in situations where the play possesses one of the predetermined numeric combinations and they have placed a bonus bet. When the player wins based on one of these predetermined numeric combinations, the player bonus can be awarded additional compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the bonus bet as shown below. Of course, these winnings can only be collected provided the player chooses to remain in the game by placing the second bet.

TABLE 1 Combination Bonus Payout Additional Bonus Amount 2-2-3  4 times second bet $50 2-2-7  4 times second bet $50 3-3-A  6 times second bet $50 3-3-5  6 times second bet $50 4-4-3  8 times second bet $50 5-5-A 10 times second bet $50 A-A-5 11 times second bet $50 A-A-9 11 times second bet $50 Ace-Ace-Ace 30 times second bet 100% of bonus pot (34) 2-2-2 20 times second bet $50 3-3-3 20 times second bet $50 4-4-4 20 times second bet $50 5-5-5 20 times second bet $50 6-6-6 20 times second bet $50 7-7-7 30 times second bet  10% of bonus pot (34) 8-8-8 20 times second bet $50 9-9-9 20 times second bet $50

If none of the combinations in Table 1 are present, the dealer 12 retains the bonus ante, as a payout to dealer, as part of the bonus pot for the game. It should be noted that the amounts multiples) shown for the bonus payouts with regard to the second bet, as well as the additional bonus amounts are examples only. Other amounts are possible, although the amount of payouts for regular play, bonus payouts and additional bonus amounts should, preferably, be inversely proportionate to the probability of a player having the combination shown or the totals indicated for the payouts. In other words, as the probability of having a given combination or total declines, the amount of payout, bonus payout and/or additional bonus amount should preferably increase. As a further option for the bonus scheme, a bonus payout, for example 20 times (20×) the second bet, could be accorded to player for a three-of-a-kind combination (other than 7s or Aces, already shown in Table 1), such as 2-2-2, 3-3-3, 4-4-4, 5-5-5, 6-6-6 8-8-8, or 9-9-9.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims. 

1. A method for playing a betting card game comprising the steps of: providing a dealer; providing a player; providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards arranged in the traditional manner with faces designated 2-10, J, Q, K, A; assigning numeric values to each face designation according to the formula: 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, 10=0, J=0, Q=0, K=0, and A=1 or 11; requiring the player to contribute an ante of money as a first bet; issuing the player first, second and third player cards face-down with cards from the deck; allowing the player to privately inspect the face designations of the three player cards; issuing the dealer first, second and third dealer cards with cards from the deck, at least one of the dealer cards arranged face-down and at least one of the dealer cards arranged face-up for recognition by the player; soliciting a second bet decision from the player, wherein the second bet decision is selected from the group consisting of: bet a designated sum of money and fold; inviting the dealer to optionally substitute one of the first, second and third dealer cards with a card from the deck; inviting the player to optionally substitute one of the first, second and third player cards with a card from the deck; calculating the mathematical sum of the numeric values assigned to the three player cards; calculating the mathematical sum of the numeric values assigned to the three dealer cards; determining a winner by comparing the sum of the three player cards to the sum of the dealer cards, and if: i) the sum of the dealer cards is 11 and the sum of the player cards is anything other than 11, the dealer wins; ii) the sum of the player cards is 11 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 11, the player wins; iii) the sum of the dealer cards is 7 and the sum of the player cards is anything other than 7 or 11, the dealer wins; iv) the sum of the player cards is 7 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 7 or I 11, the player wins; and v) the sum of the player cards is 7 or 11 and the sum of the dealer cards equals the sum of the player cards, a tie is declared.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the numeric values of the dealer cards and the player cards are both 7-7-7 or 11-11-11, the player wins.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein when the player wins because the numeric values of the dealer cards and the player cards are both 7-7-7 or 11-11 -11, the player keeps the first bet and the second bet and is awarded addition compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the second bet.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein when the dealer wins because the sum of the dealer cards is 11 and the sum of the player cards is anything other than 11, the dealer is awarded the first and second bets of the player.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein when the player wins because the sum of the player cards is 11 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 11, the player keeps the first bet and the second bet and is awarded addition compensation.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein when the dealer wins because the sum of the dealer cards is 7 and the sum of the player cards is anything other than 7 or 11, the dealer is awarded the first and second bets of the player.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein when the player wins because the sum of the player cards is 7 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 7 or 11, the player keeps the first bet and the second bet and is awarded addition compensation.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein when a tie is declared because the sum of the player cards is 7 or 11 and the sum of the dealer cards equals the sum of the player cards, the player keeps the first bet and the second bet and the dealer receives nothing.
 9. The method of claim 1 further including the step of awarding the dealer a partial win if the sum of the player cards and the sum of the dealer cards is neither 7 nor 11 wherein the dealer is awarded the first bet of the player and the player keeps the second bet.
 10. The method of claim 1 further including the step of establishing at least one predetermined numeric combination, and wherein the player wins when the sum of the player cards and the sum of the dealer cards is neither 7 nor 11 but the numeric values of the player cards equal the at least one predetermined numeric combination.
 11. The method of claim 10 when the player wins because the player cards equal the at least one predetermined numeric combination, the player keeps the first bet and the second bet and is awarded addition compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the second bet.
 12. The method of claim 10, further including the step of soliciting a bonus bet from the player prior to said step of issuing the player first, second and third player cards, wherein the bonus bet can be any designated sum of money including zero, and when the player wins because the player cards equal the at least one predetermined numeric combination, awarding the player bonus compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the bonus bet.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards includes the step of shuffling together six identical decks of 52 playing cards each.
 14. A method for playing a betting card game with multiple players comprising the steps of: providing a dealer; providing a plurality of players; providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards arranged in the traditional manner with faces designated 2-10, J, Q, K, A; assigning numeric values to each face designation according to the formula: 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, 10=0, J=0, Q=0, K=0, and requiring each player to contribute an ante of money as a first bet; issuing each player respective first, second and third player cards face-down with cards from the deck; allowing each player to privately inspect the face designations of their respective three player cards; issuing the dealer first, second and third dealer cards with cards from the deck, at least one of the dealer cards arranged face-down and at least one of the dealer cards arranged face-up for recognition by each player; soliciting a second bet decision from each player, wherein the second bet decision is selected from the group consisting of: bet a designated sum of money and fold; inviting each player to optionally substitute one of their respective first, second and third player cards with a card from the deck; inviting the dealer to optionally substitute one of the first, second and third dealer cards with a card from the deck; calculating the mathematical sum of the numeric values assigned to each player's respective three player cards; calculating the mathematical sum of the numeric values assigned to the three dealer cards; determining a winner by separately comparing the sum of each player's respective three player cards to the sum of the dealer cards, and if: i) the sum of the dealer cards is 11 and the sum of the respective player cards is anything other than 11, the dealer wins; ii) the sum of the respective player cards is 11 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 11, the respective player wins; iii) the sum of the dealer cards is 7 and the sum of the respective player cards is anything other than 7 or 11, the dealer wins; iv) the sum of the respective player cards is 7 and the sum of the dealer cards is anything other than 7 or I 1, the respective player wins; and v) the sum of the respective player cards is 7 or 11 and the sum of the dealer cards equals the sum of the respective player cards, a tie is declared.
 15. The method of claim 14 further including the step of establishing at least one predetermined numeric combination, and wherein the respective player wins when the sum of the respective player cards and the sum of the dealer cards is neither 7 nor I 1, but the numeric value of the respective player cards equal the at least one predetermined numeric combination.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of soliciting a bonus bet from each player prior to said step of issuing the respective player first, second and third player cards, wherein the bonus bet can be any designated sum of money including zero, and when the respective player wins because the respective player cards equal the at least one predetermined numeric combination, awarding the respective player bonus compensation based on a multiplication factor applied to the bonus bet. 